DIVISION 2 leaders Oxford Downs were left clinging on for a draw against visitors Buckingham Town 2nd.
Jason Ell hit 62 as Buckingham set 246-8 in their 53 overs in the Cherwell League clash, Johnny Law taking 3-68.
Alex Ling (41) and Ben Ling (32no) shone for Downs, but they could not get near Buckingham’s total, closing out for a draw at 191-7.
Sandford St Martin frustrated promotion hopefuls Challow & Childrey who had to settle for an away draw.
Ryan Gordon (65) and Patrick Bryan (35) led Challow to 201-9 in their 53 overs, Henry Portman returning fine figures of 5-40.
Sandford’s reply was built around Mark Robey’s 58 not out as they closed on 176-7.
Great & Little Tew 2nd had the worse end of a draw at home to Oxford & Bletchingdon Nondescripts.
Abdullah Sadiqi top-scored with 67 as Nondies were bowled out for 229, Ollie Price taking 3-43.
Tew were left clinging on at 167-9 when time ran out for Nondies.
Oxford Downs 2nd’s battle against the drop from Division 3 received a boost as they crushed hosts Banbury 3rd by eight wickets.
A stronger than usual Downs dismissed Banbury for 141 as Jonny Meardon took 3-25 and Steve Roberts 3-45.
Amin Rafiq then struck 66 not out and James Lauder 52 not out to steer Downs to 142-2 in the 31st over.
However, Shipton-under-Wychwood’s relegation fears increased as they lost by five wickets at Horley.
Batting first, Shipton were all out in the 50th over for 214, Jonathan Hart taking 5-61, and Tim Senior top-scoring for Shipton with 47.
Stephen King then hit 62 for Horley to steer his side to 217-5.
Witney Mills kept their outside promotion hopes alive in Division 4 with a 106-run victory at Kimble.
Batting first, Mills reached 271-9 dec, veteran Malcolm Evans hitting 75, Adam Mayho 69 and Tom Mayho 33.
Ollie Burney then claimed 5-46 as Kimble were shot out for 165 in reply.
Sam Barnes’s outstanding century was in vain for Great & Little Tew 3rd, who had to settle for the better of a draw with visitors Horley 2nd in Division 6
Barnes smashed 113 including 15 fours and a six as Tew rattled up 249-5 in their 53 overs.
Richard Hart (63no) provided stern resistance for Horley in their reply.
Despite three wickets apiece for Toby Parker and Jamie King, Horley cluing on at 131-8.
In Division 7, Shipton-under-Wychwood 3rd had no answer to veteran seamer Trevor Spindler, who took 5-58 as Horspath 4th won by eight wickets.
Shipton still managed to post 214, but the target was no problem for the visitors, who cruised in at 215-2, David Wells hitting 77.
In Division 8 Great & Little Tew crashed to leaders Westbury 2nd by 137 runs.
Alan Green’s 111 not out led Westbury to 235-5 in their 45 overs, and then Jamie Boardman took 4-12 as Tew were dismissed for a paltry 98.
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